'Catching Fire' Courting Michael Arndt to Rewrite Its Script

May 05, 2012 02:03:03 GMT

The 'Toy Story 3' screenwriter is in talks with Lionsgate Films to rewrite the 'Hunger Games' sequel screenplay, which initial draft is penned by Oscar winner Simon Beaufoy.

After tapping a new director, "Catching Fire" is now circling a new writer. It was The Hollywood Reporter which broke the news that the sequel to "The Hunger Games" is courting Oscar winner Michael Arndt to rewrite its script.

Should Michael ink the deal with Lionsgate, he will have to "work double-time to get the script ready" due to the tight schedule caused by lead actress Jennifer Lawrence, who is also committed to 20th Century Fox's untitled X-Men: First Class sequel. The pressure from the squeezed schedule was the major reason why director Gary refused to helm the sequel.

Last April, Gary surprisingly exited the franchise. Of why he decided to left the big franchise, Gary said, "I don't have the time I need to write and prep the movie I would have wanted to make because of the fixed and tight production schedule." Lionsgate later chose Francis Lawrence to take over the helming duty.

In "Catching Fire", Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are getting punished for their defiance. They will be forced to compete in a special 75th staging of the Hunger Games, where they must fight against past winners. Bringing back Jennifer, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth to the cast ensemble, the film is due to open wide in the U.S. on November 22, 2013.